Wednesday, May 02, 2007

1st round report: Back to the Bay

After blowing a 21-point first-half lead to Golden State, the Mavericks' season began slipping away. With each Warriors three pointer (16 of them, to be exact), the sad realization that Dallas' 67-win season would end in record fashion - just not the record they want.

Instead of becoming the only 1-seed to lose to an 8-seed since the NBA went to a seven-game first-round format, Dirk Nowitzki became a Superman-like figure, showing up when all seemed lost. Surely there wasn't enough time left for him to save the day? Turns out there was plenty of time; and don't call me Shirley. All of the sudden, fans in the Double-A C pointed toward the rafters as someone disguised as an MVP flew down and crushed the enemy Warriors with a mighty blow while rescuing the damsel in distress.

Dirk's performance in the closing minutes of Game 5 can only be described as heroic. He scored 12 points during the Mavericks 15-0 run over the final 3:07 to lead the Mavericks back into this series. Now the NBA's best team this season will head back to Oakland for Game 6.

The fans at Oracle Arena will be loud and obnoxious, doing all they can to affect the Mavs' attempt to force a Game 7 back in Dallas. If Golden State puts on another 3-point shotting clinic, Dallas will be in trouble. There's not a lot you can do when the other team hits three after three after three. But if Dirk can find a phonebooth, the only thing that will save the Warriors is kryptonite.